HP today announced changes to its flagship PartnerONE program that are designed to help partners differentiate themselves in the marketplace and provide them with simplified access to program benefits.

HP also announced the launch of “ExeConnect,” the company’s official executive engagement strategy.

The latest program enhancements, which become effective Nov. 1, provide partners with tools and resources to help grow their businesses and achieve a consistent, competitive edge.

“HP is setting a new standard of excellence in partner programs by better preparing, equipping and rewarding partners that engage with the company,” said Tom LaRocca, vice president, Marketing and Strategy, Solution Partners Organization – Americas, HP. “We are helping make it easier to do business with HP so our partners can focus on what’s really important – growing their businesses and staying ahead of the curve.”

Highlighted enhancements to the PartnerONE program include a simplified membership structure and streamlined administration process.

HP is redefining the PartnerONE membership structure to showcase the expertise of partners and their solutions-based HP knowledge. Each of the three tiers in the new structure comes with benefits that scale to partners’ investments in HP; special designations for Preferred and Elite partners demonstrate their expertise in HP products and solutions:

Business Partner – Provides special benefits such as partner promotions, HP financing, support and training.

Preferred Partner (NEW) – Includes all of the HP Business Partner benefits, as well as access to sales rebates and other financial benefits, marketing support, special growth incentives, and more.

HP’s newly streamlined membership structure helps to reduce program administration costs and make it easier for partners to administer, understand and predict HP benefits and payments. With the new structure, offers and eligibility requirements are more consistent across business units, giving partners access to information about what their returns will be and how they will get them. HP is working closely with partners to help transition to the new membership structure.

ExeConnect set to provide greater partner engagement and support from HP executives

ExeConnect, HP’s official executive engagement strategy, is intended to regularly connect HP partners and their customers with HP Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd and other senior HP executives, including Adrian Jones, vice president and general manger of the Solution Partners Organization – Americas, HP.

The format of ExeConnect meetings varies, but typically involves executive roundtables, panel discussions or one-on-one meetings. Hurd has nearly doubled the number of executive engagement activities held since 2007, meeting with more than 30 partners during the past six months.

“No other CEO in the industry is meeting partners with the intent and consistency of Mark Hurd through ExeConnect,” said Jones. “We look forward to increased collaboration and executive engagement with small and large partners to drive profitable growth and stronger solutions for our mutual customers.”

HP executives, including Jones and Hurd, are planning additional meetings during the next several months.

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

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This news advisory contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2008 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.